Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-01-01

and turning 10 catch the breeze. There
was more OF that further out than on
shore, but still not enough TO send us
along merrily, although the new boat
| was as light and swift, and easy t 0
manage as any boat could well be, and
skinned the waves like IA bird.
"She's u bonnie one TO go, Edam. |
said, after u little, but ! got no reply.
Edam sat with his eyes fixed upon the
distant sky, and | could see he vas
thinking something over very deeply.
/ followed the direction of his eyes and
did not like the prospect. A CLEAN of
sickly yellow light lay low down to the
water, but above that were piled mass
es of heavy gray clouds, without a
break, save in n place. where it was
as though a mighty hand had pushed
them aside to make a space for the
tempest to break through. All around
this space was hurry and confusion.
while the rest of the sky was sullen and
quiet. Far out the sickly CLEAN on the
horizon was repeated On a dark green
sea, nearer, the dark waves we're be-
ginning to show tops of white.
did not like the prospect, nor did
like the notion of being out there on
that angry looking waste of waters at
the mercy of Edam Carr and his
caprices.
Don't you think we should go back
now, Edamp" L asked timidly; sit
doesn't look over well out yonder, "and
i pointed to the far sea.
Leave that to me, Elsie, ma dar-
linz"
He had no right to call me his dar-
ling, but | was beginning to be very
afraid and so | said nothing about
that. But all at once q rush. a whirl,
and n roar caused me to scream out
as a squall struck our little craft and
made it heel over, wctting me to the
skin at the same time. As n matter of
fact. VIC fisher lassies are not at all
brave enough upon the sea, though it
may be almost our native element.
There are very few Grace Darlings
among US. Indeed, we hardly ever
venture into a boat at all. So it is not
to be wondered at that my courage
should fail utterly when we began to
ship heavy seas.
80, take me home, Edam, or | know
Wen never win back ut ALL"
But he took no notice more than put
things right and tight in a skillful way
/ could not but admire, no wever angry
| began to feel toward him.
Are you never going to turn,
Edam Carr!' | broke out ut last.
A suspicion which | had often heard
breathed in the village came back to me
then and / trembled for our lives.
They said that '.Edam Car was get
ting the same queer look his father had
afore ne went out of his head and
drowned himself!' and remembering
this and the few words his mother had
whispered, l inclined to think he was
mad at times. When | spoke he
laughed out loud. 1t was the first
time that | had ever heard him laugh,
and it gave me an odd feeling.
$50 you're afraid. ma bonnie Elsiep
It's a long time since YOU and | were
as much alone together as we are now;
nothing but the boat that holds us two
on all that world o water! Eli, but
it's fine to have you all to myself Ike
this"
"Are you madp" / exclaimed, my
thoughts taking words all unconscious
y.
Edam laughed again. that horrible,
cruel laugh which had no mirth in il.
MAY be. Sometimes / think l an
myself, but if | am, it's for love o
you"
His eyes were SO bright and so wild
| could not bear to look at them, and
his hand, as he took hold of mine,
burned with fever.
For mercy's sake. Edam, take care
II ye don't mind Wen be both in the
water"
can what o. thatP At any rate wen
drown together. and you'll never be,
long to another man"
l clasped my hands in agony of ter
ror. o, what n fool | had been not tc
have guessed what might happen!
thought Of the poor BARNS at home
waiting for me now TO rive them THEN
suppers, and hear their prayers, an(
tuck them up in their beds. and the
tears rolled down my cheeks ut the
thought of how long they might have
to wait
80, Edam, / didn't think We could
be SO cruel!' ! said between my sobs,
But even the tears failed to move him
you have been cruel enough to me
its my turn now!' he answered sui
.enly as he altered the sail.
BY this time the lurid CLEAN had III
most died out from the sky, and nj
was dark around us. The wind was
blowing strongly and hurting the mass
of clouds across tho heavens at head.
long speed, and tearing al the water
until the air and the waves wingled in
one wild fray. How our little boat
lived at all in such a storm is more
than | can understand. In the hands
Of a less experienced boatman we
should have been lost in no time.
ado have pity on me and the poor
little one that have only me TO look to.
Edam-dear Edam!''
''Ay, it's dear Edam now you're in
my power, but how long would il last
IS Ia -.. a - " q